“Good!” returned Florry equably; “I will e’en to that cosy window-seat and watch for your return.”
Frances departed in a hurry for fear of failing courage; and Florry, who had something to say, but was in no haste to say it, carried a book to the window and felt herself at home.
Jim stood by his anvil, making, with level, well-aimed blows, rough nails for farmers’ use. He had flung off his coat and waistcoat, rolled up his sleeves, and donned a leathern apron. It was Jim the blacksmith on whose hardy toil Frances cast shy and interested eyes. He did not look so unapproachable as she had expected; but it was evident that her coming had startled him. The lad laid down his hammer, however, and stepped forward at once.
“You want me, Missy?” he said quickly, with an undefined hope that his sister might be about to command his willing service.
“Oh no!” said Frances; “I didn’t mean to interrupt you—at least, only for a minute. I came to say that—that Florry and I have been looking at your room—”
Jim was hungering for a word of satisfaction. If, indeed, he had pleased Frances, surely he might dare to hope that he had not begun amiss.
“You used to have so many things there,” continued Frances, her self-possession deserting her as she noted the expression of her brother’s grave young face. “I don’t think Austin and I ought to be so much in your way.”
“You could never be that, Missy,” said Jim, whose spirits sank unaccountably at the painful courtesy of Frances’s manner. “It’ll be right for you to have a little place where you’ll feel private-like, and know as nobody will interfere.”
“You are kind, Jim,” said Frances; and the girl hung her head in shame that no warmer words would come at her bidding.
“Surely not,” said Jim dejectedly. “There’s no talk of kindness so long as I can do aught—” Jim hesitated, fearing to offend by some obtrusively brother-like speech, and his pleading glance fell at the sight of Frances’s averted head. “There, Missy,” he continued gently; “don’t you go for to trouble yourself about my bits of things. I’ve a deal more room for them in the big shed behind here; and they’ll be handier to get at. You’ve no call to think twice of them.”